Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Cuban Music with Whittier College June 17-28

Whittier College invites outside applicants to join its Cuba Music of Latin America program this summer, 17-28 June!
Music Professor and accomplished Cuban flautist Danilo Lozano and history professor Jose Ortega, will lead a group through the sights, sounds, and smells of Cuba and its surrounding areas. They will visit Cuba's historical sites by land and sea - Revolution Square, the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana, and Ernest Hemingway's La Vigia Estate, to name a few. During the group's travels, they will meet tobacco farmers, poets, jazz players, artists, historians, museum curators, and, of course, musicians, both young and old, including jazz player and composer Bobby Carcassés and the legendary band Cuba Libre.
- Student and non-student participants are welcome!
- Course: MUS 074, 3 credits for those wishing to receive credit.
- Tuition: $1,600 (for those who wish to receive credit); $0.00 (for those who do not wish to receive credit)
- Cost: $3,400 (including roundtrip international airfare Miami-Havana)
- Itinerary: Havana, Vinales, Matanzas - Please see below for full details
- Extended Deadline to join: Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Please see below for complete course, cost, and itinerary information. Contact Shari Henderson for more information about joining!
Thank you!
Shari Henderson, M.A.
Assistant Director, International Programs
Whittier College
13406 Philadelphia Street
Platner 206
T: 562 907 4200, ext 4308
F: 562 464 4517
E: shenders@whittier.edu<mailto:shenders@whittier.edu>
Complete program description
Course Description:
MUS 074 - Music of Latin America
This course provides a historical and philosophical survey of music in Latin America, in addition to a basic analysis of generic aspects
of origins, influences, style, and development within that geographical area. Discussion of regional folkstyles, of the indigenous factor
and popular trends (both traditional and progressive) and of the state of music among the Latin populations of the United States. This
class will provide an overall understanding of Latin American music aesthetic and culture, with particular focus on Cuba.
Costs:
Program fee: $3,400*. Cost includes the following: All in country accommodations and activities, transportation,
expert local guide, activities, International airfare, visa fees, trip cancellation insurance, required travel Health insurance,
breakfast each day and arranged group meals. Beverages with group meals consist of teas, juices, and/or processed
water (all bottled water is extra). The letters 'B, L, D' below in the itinerary indicate whether breakfast (B), lunch (L), or
dinner (D) are provided on a particular day.
Tips for hotel cleaning staff, guide, and drivers have been budgeted into this price.
*Please note that if group size changes, pricing will need to be adjusted. The pricing is currently based on a group of 10-19 participants.
The price does not include meals not described above, domestic airfare to Miami, airport departure taxes (approx $30 to be paid
at the airport each way), passport fees, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water, laundry, telephone calls, use of the hotel
safe (approx $2/day) or any other expense of a personal nature.
Suggested Flight Schedule: Below is a suggested flight schedule for the group.
(Please note that this schedule and fare are subject to change until confirmed.)
06/18/2012 Miami Havana 9:00 am 10:00 am
06/28/2012 Havana Miami 10:00 am 11:00 am
Itinerary
06/17/2013 Miami Holiday Inn Miami Airport Standard
Upon arrival at the Miami airport, after collecting your luggage, you will be on your own to take the
complimentary shuttle to airport and check in at the Holiday Inn Miami Airport Hotel.
06/18/2013 Havana Hotel Presidente D
This morning transfer to the Miami International Airport for your flight to Havana. Upon arrival you will
be met by representatives of San Cristobal Tours who will transfer you to Old Havana. Check in to Hotel
Presidente and spend the afternoon exploring the surrounding area before a special welcome dinner at
Café Taberna Restaurant.
06/19/2013 Havana Hotel Presidente BLD
This morning you will take a bus tour of modern Havana, visiting Revolution Square and areas of Vedado
near Hotel Nacional, La Rampa, Coppelia, and John Lennon's Park. Next begin your walking tour of the
oldest squares of Old Havana: Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco de Assis, Plaza de la Catedral, and
Plaza Vieja. Enjoy lunch in Old Havana at a local restaurant, La Imprenta. This afternoon from 2 4pm you
are invited to the home of Sue Herrod. Originally from the United Kingdom, Sue is a performer and
composer, who has been living in Cuba for over a decade. Sue has facilitated a number of the exchanges
you will enjoy throughout the program. At Sue's house, members of the Clave Guanguanco, a rumba
group, will briefly perform. This will be an interactive session with opportunities for instruction in dance
and percussion.
Dinner this evening will be at a private Paladar.
06/20/2013 Havana Hotel Presidente B
This morning you will attend rehearsal with Cuba Libre (written QVA), the winning band of the 2011
Cuba Disco Fusion Award. Students will have the opportunity to meet the musicians and learn about
this very special group. Lunch will be on your own. At 3:30pm you will meet with Professor Lorenzo
in the dining room of the hotel for a group discussion about the relation of QVA's music to Cuban culture.
This evening at 6:30pm you will go to the legendary Hotel Nacional where you will meet with Jose "Pepe" Viera
has a law degree from Havana University, with a Postgraduate course on Property Rights in Cuba. Pepe has
translated several books about cultural links and mutual influence between the US and Cuba.
This evening is on your own or to meet with Professors Lozano and Gonzales.
06/21/2013 Havana Hotel Presidente BL
In the morning you'll visit the National Museum of Music for a tour by the director of the museum,
followed by a tour of the Museum of Popular Music. Possible discussions include the differences between
historical and modern music of Cuba. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, El Patio.
(The National Museum of Music is currently closed, and it is not confirmed that it will be open to the public in May 2013.)
This afternoon you'll meet jazz player and composer, Bobby Carcassés. The interactive session will take
place in an art studio where Bobby's friend Karina does her work. Enjoy discussions with Bobby about
Cuban jazz and its effects on Cuban culture.
06/22/2013 Vinales Hotel Rancho San Vicente BL
Today you will travel to Viñales, a fertile plain formed by several valleys surrounded by limestone
mountains called Mogotes. UNESCO declared the site a "landscape of mankind" and a policy to protect
the valleys has been implemented by the Ministry of Tourism. Here you will meet local tobacco farmers
and learn about their trade and lifestyle. Enjoy lunch on a private farm and meet Cuban poets and singers
who have mastered the art of improvisation in singing Cuban décimas.
06/23/2013 Vinales Hotel Rancho San Vicente BL
This morning enjoy a guided hike within Valle de Vinales National Park, as well as visiting special caves in
the area. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant, El Palenque. This afternoon you will have time for reflection of
the area and possible gatherings with local musicians.
06/24/2013 Havana Hotel Presidente B
This afternoon you will travel back to Havana.
06/25/2013 Matanzas Hotel Velasco BL
This morning you will leave Havana and travel to the coastal city of Matanzas. Lunch will be en route at
Terraza de Cojimar Restaurant. Following your arrival in Matanzas, you will have the opportunity to
discover the unique musical heritage of this area of Cuba.
06/26/2013 Matanzas Hotel Velasco B
This morning you will be given a walking tour of Matanzas. This afternoon, you will have time to explore
the city on your own. This evening, your professors will guide you to the best of the local musical venues.
06/27/2013 Havana Hotel Presidente B
This afternoon you will travel back to Havana.
You will have a day to finish your projects and visit sites that you have wanted to take in before your
departure tomorrow.
06/28/2013 Departure B
Today you will be transferred to the Havana International Airport for your flight to Miami and your
connecting flight home. It is suggested that you plan your return flight for a mid to late afternoon departure.